The Guide to Rising to Power: The Ultimate Schemes of a Green Tea Beauty

The number of people outside the VIP lounge in Area A gradually increased.

Shen Yao stood in the designated spot with a professional smile, but her eyes scanned each passing guest like the most sophisticated radar.

She had her own set of strict evaluation criteria: age, appearance, temperament, taste in clothing, the aura he exuded in his every move, and... the attitude of those around him.

After looking around, she couldn't help but feel a little disappointed.

Many so-called "elites" are either middle-aged men with bloated bellies and shrewd, calculating eyes, causing her physical discomfort; or they are well-dressed but have a sleazy or arrogant demeanor, unable to hide their inner emptiness.

She, Shen Yao, is young and beautiful, and she has worked hard to cultivate her image; she is not going to waste her time on someone like this.

Was I going to return empty-handed today? A sense of unease quietly rose within me.

Just then, a slight commotion arose in the crowd, and a cool and upright figure came into view.

Xie Yunzhou.

He was dressed in a dark suit today, still possessing that aloof and unapproachable air, but upon closer inspection, his complexion seemed paler and colder than the last time I saw him, with a hint of weariness in his eyes. He walked straight to the main venue without glancing to either side, and those around him who tried to approach him were silently repelled by the aura of unapproachability emanating from him.

Difficulty level: Extremely high.

Shen Yao made another judgment about him.

This man is like a piece of cold jade in a deep pool, seemingly transparent but actually icy and unapproachable. But it is precisely because he is difficult to approach that his value may be even greater.

As she was silently weighing her options, another figure immediately captured her full attention.

A man is around twenty-six or twenty-seven years old, an age when he sheds his immaturity and develops mature charm.

He had his hair neatly combed back, and his height was similar to Xie Yunzhou's. He wore a perfectly pressed three-piece suit, with every detail exuding understated luxury.

He possessed a strikingly approachable handsomeness. Like a pine tree reflecting in spring water, his eyes had slightly light pupils, and his lips seemed to naturally curve with a gentle smile. His gaze was wise and composed.

Shen Yao's intuition told her that beneath that gentleness lay absolute clarity and detachment.

He was warm on the outside but cold on the inside. She immediately labeled him.

What captivated her was that as soon as this man appeared, many men and women who were clearly elites approached him to exchange pleasantries, their attitudes respectful yet ingratiating. He, however, maintained his gentle smile throughout, responding appropriately and skillfully deflecting the overly enthusiastic conversations with a few words, demonstrating an excellent sense of propriety.

This is truly high-quality prey!

Shen Yao's heart pounded uncontrollably. She quickly reviewed the guest information she had crammed before the event and confirmed that there were no detailed introductions of these two men on the list. Clearly, they were either of higher rank or more discreet.

No wonder Lin Weiwei's family only sent her in as a courtesy; the inner circle is indeed not so easy to enter.

Shen Yao forced herself to calm down. She was currently an assistant in the rest area, and the core agenda of the main venue was irrelevant to her. Rushing in would only make her seem awkward and ridiculous.

She suppressed her restless thoughts and continued to perform her duties well, but her peripheral vision kept fixed on the entrance to the main venue where Xie Yunzhou entered, and the direction from which the "handsome guy with slicked-back hair" was talking to someone.

Tough to crack? Tough to crack, but we still have to crack it!

Ten minutes before the halftime break announcement, Shen Yao excused herself to go to the restroom and temporarily left her post.

Instead of actually relieving herself, she slipped into the empty staff restroom and locked the door.

She stood in front of the mirror, scrutinizing every detail like the most demanding artist examining their own work: Was her makeup still flawless? Was her hair even slightly disheveled? Were there any wrinkles in her suit? Did she need to touch up her lipstick?

After confirming that everything was perfect and that not even the slightest flaw could be found, she took a deep breath, adjusted her facial expression, and returned to her post outside the break room in Area A.

She had timed it perfectly; those VIP guests would likely use the intermission to rest in the VIP room.

Sure enough, not long after, she saw the handsome, slick-back-haired man with a gentle demeanor walk over with Xie Yunzhou. The man seemed to be whispering something to Xie Yunzhou, his expression showing concern, while Xie Yunzhou looked unwell and simply shook his head.

They're coming!

Shen Yao immediately lowered her eyelashes and focused on arranging the mineral water and wet towel she had prepared, putting on a serious and focused look, deliberately reducing her presence while ensuring that she was within their inevitable line of sight.

Two men approached, their footsteps making a soft sound on the polished floor. The gentle-looking man's gaze swept around, seemingly searching for the entrance to the lounge, before his eyes inadvertently fell upon Shen Yao, who was busy with her work.

His gaze paused for a moment after just one glance.

Simply put, this girl's temperament and appearance stood out too much in this somewhat formal setting.

With her graceful figure and dazzlingly fair skin, her demure demeanor exudes a serene and refined beauty.

He stopped and said in a gentle, polite voice, "Miss, could you please take us to the lounge?"

Shen Yao's heart skipped a beat; she knew her opportunity had arrived.

She looked up at the sound, her movements unhurried, a slight surprise at being called out on the spot, which quickly turned into a standard professional smile.

The angle and expression she adopted when looking up were ones she had practiced countless times in front of the mirror, ensuring that they would showcase her beautiful neckline and her clear yet innocently alluring eyes to the fullest extent.

"Okay, please follow me." Her voice was clear and pleasant, yet respectful.

When she fully raised her head to face the two men, the gentle man saw her face clearly and his gaze lingered on her for a good three or four seconds before he nodded slightly, indicating that she should lead the way.

When Xie Yunzhou saw Shen Yao, a hint of surprise flashed across his indifferent eyes.

He clearly recognized her. Compared to the somewhat awkward and deliberate girl at the entrance of Xiang Yuchuan's villa last time, whose temperament was still a bit rough, the Shen Yao in front of him seemed like a carefully polished jade, with an inner luster and proper manners. The "disharmony" brought about by the environment and experience had been almost smoothed out, leaving only an overwhelming and impactful beauty.

The change was so drastic that it surprised even him. But he said nothing and resumed his usual indifference.

Shen Yao slightly turned to the side, guiding the two towards the VIP lounge. Her steps were composed, her back straight, and she could clearly feel two pairs of eyes on her from behind.

After leading the two into the lounge, she didn't leave immediately. Instead, she naturally walked to the water dispenser, picked up a water glass, and pretended to pour water for them, but actually pricked up her ears to listen to their conversation.

She heard the gentle man ask in a concerned voice, "Yunzhou, are you alright? You haven't looked well."

Xie Yunzhou's voice rang out: "It's nothing, Brother Yunci, it's just an old ailment."

Yunci-ge?

Shen Yao silently recited in her heart.